The Role of Cross-Sector Social Partnerships in Enabling Social Value Creation and Social Entrepreneurial Learning and Practice by South African Youth

Youth unemployment is one of the most pressing issues for South Africa’s economic prospects. While the drivers behind youth unemployment are diverse (including lack of relevant education and opportunities), youthled entrepreneurship has been proposed as a potential solution. Further, while social entrepreneurship has been identified as a priority area and part of a long-term strategy for the country, significant barriers persist for South African social entrepreneurs. This chapter explores a collective form of social entrepreneurship — cross sector social partnerships (CSSP) — involving four distinct actors (universities, South African youth, ecosystem practitioners, and non-government organisations) and considers how cross sector social partnerships enable social entrepreneurial learning by South African youth and how collaborations in a social entrepreneurial ecosystem better enable CSSP partners to create more social value. Drawing from the results of mixed-methods research in a project focused on supporting youth social entrepreneurs in South Africa, the chapter provides evidence to suggest that partnerships were instrumental in enabling social entrepreneurial learning and practice. Further, our findings highlight the social value created through partnerships, involving key actors in the social entrepreneurial ecosystem. Based on our findings and project reflections, we propose a circular model of cross sector social partnerships that create value through social entrepreneurship. We conclude with policy implications.